Steering gear



. Sept 1927' H. MARLES STEERING GEAR Filed Jan. 25, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 jzrq'y JV/ZZI'ZG 7 v INVENTOFJ,

WITNESSES ATTORNEY 1,642,164 p 1927' H. MARLES S TEERING GEAR Filed Jan.25, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 13, I 1927.

- UNITED STATES HENBY IARLE, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

STEERING GEAR.

Application filed January 25,1922, Serial No. 531,790, and in Great Britain Kay 18, 1921.

This invention relates to improvements 1n steering gears for mechanically propelled vehicles, and ismore particularl directed to the t pe of steering gear disc osed in my co-pend ing application filed October 9, 1920, Serial No. 415,927, wherein radially extending cams mounted on the lower end of the steering column cooperate with a roller carried by the rocker shaft. I

The primary object of this invention is to provide a small and economical gear, which will be of extremely strong and rugged :onstruction, and wherein means are provided that can be conveniently adjusted for taking up any wear that may. occur between the contacting surfaces, thereby eliminating back lash in the steering mechanism.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing formingpart of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showin in the drawing, but may be changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawin s:

Fig. 1 is a si e elevation of an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionof the same.

Fig. 3 discloses another angular position of the rotatable disk shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section taken along theline 44 of Fig. 1, disclosing partly in section a means for adjusting the roller disk.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of the same, showin another position of the roller disk which 1s in operative engagement with the rocker shaft and the cams, disclosing a modified form of adjustment means for the roller disk.

Fig. 6 shows a modified form of disk operatively positioned between the rock shaft and the opposed cam tracks. i

Fig. .7 iscloses another modification of the isk located at a difierent angle and engaged by different portions of the cam tracks.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates a shaft provided with a keyway 2. The shaft is disposed in alinement with the end of the steering column-of an automobile, and is adapted to be connected in operative relation with said column and rotated therewith, when the steering wheel is operated. A sleeve (not shown) on the steering column' may be provided with a keyway alined with the keyway 2 and engaged by' a key for locking the shaft to the steering column. The shaft 1 may also be considered as thelower end of the steering column itself.

A casing 4 is mounted on the end of the steering column and encloses the shaft 1, the cam 3 and the parts operatively connetted with said cam. The casing, as is usually the case, is sectionally formed and bolted together in order that the enclosed mechanism may be exposed for any purpose whatever.

Extending at an angle to the shaft 1 and to the main body of the casing 4, is an ex-v tension 5 of the casing adapted to provide a mounting fo a rocker shaft 6, o eratively connected to a dro arm 7 o the steering gear. The drop arm is secured to the shaft 6 by meansof a nut 8, engaging the threaded portion '9 on the end of the shaft 6. A look Washer 19 (Fig. 4) is mounted on the shaft between the arm 7 and the nut 8.

The cam 3, which is integral with or attached to the shaft 1, is mounted in the casing 4 so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

fit bushings or sleeves 12, 15 respectively; and the shaft 1 turns within sleeve 12 and its .end or extension within sleeve- 15, as shown in Fig. 2.

.The cam 3 is similar in design to the cam described in my co-pending application referred to above, and comprises two opposed like earns 16, 17. The throw or pitch of the cams 1'3, 17 is approximately determined by the difference between the =maximum and minimum diameters of the same, the cam faces starting from the minimum diameter and rising or receding from the center throughout the circumference to the maximum diameter. It will be appreciated that with this opposed cam and rocker type of steering gear, the total rocking movement of At the ends of the casingp vbearings 11 and 14 are provided in which the front wheels may be between and wheels for steering the automobile. The

roller disk is mounted to turn about an axis disposed at an angle of 90 or thereabouts to the axis of the rocker shaft.

This single roller disk may assume any one of a number of different forms, each of which will function in the'same manner and produce like results. The vroller d'isk may be inclined at an angle to the longitudinal 18, on which is rotatably mounted a roller disk 19 by means of a pin 20. The recess in. shaft 6, as Fig. 4 clearly shows, is lane,

and makes an acute'angle with the ongieaaiea In Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the bottom wall of th recess in the shaft 6 being inclined exactly like the base of the anti-friction washer 18,

the roller disk 19 will be always kept arallel to the longitudinal axis of the sha t 6.

In Fig. 5, a slight modification of the adjusting means for the cam disk is shown. The anti-friction washer 18 has its base 26 and to portionparallel so thatthe thickness 0 the washer is uniform throughout and is seated in a recess in the rocker shaft 6 which is inclined relatively to the longitudinal'axis of-said shaft. A pin 27 which connects the rotatable disk 19"and the anti-friction Washer 18 together, rojects beyond the bottom face of the antiriction disk and is seated within a socket formed in the rocker shaft 6, so that the. anti-friction washer and roller diskv are capable of indetudinal axis of the shaft 6, and the pin 27- prevents lateral play of said disk.

. Instead of the screw 25 for adjusting the roller disk 19, I have provided screw threads t'udinal axis of the 'shaft6. The washer 18' has an inclined base 26 to seat upon the inclined bottom of the recess in the shaft; in other words, the washer is wedge-shaped in cross-section. Near the peripheries of the anti-friction washer 18 and the disk 19, and

between the same, are formed the complementary sections of a track 21 (Fig. 2 con stituting a ball race,'in which areseated the ball bearings 22, so that the disk 19 will. readily rotate on the anti-friction disk washer 18, when said disk is in en agement with the cam surfaces and operate thereby.

A slot 23 (Fig. 2) is formed in the inclined base 26 of the friction washer 18, whose outer face is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rocker shaft 6,

'as shown in Fig. 4. The slot 23 receives a s'emi-circularkey 24 also mounted in 'a slot 24 located in the rocker shaft 6 for preventing lateral playof said key. I

An adjustin screw 25, mounted in an internally threa ed assage formed in the extension 13'in the longitudinal ax-is'of' the shaft 6, is adapted to engage the periphery.

of the anti-friction disk 18 and force the same towards the other end of the shaft, so that as the inclined base 26 of the anti friction disk rides upon the inclined seat propermit the'screw 25 .to move inwardly for adjusting the roller disk 19. The key 2i serves to guide the disk 18. in its movement.

28 on a collar 29 which forms the bearing for the shaft end 13.- These threads are adapted to be" engaged by an internally threaded cap nut 30*. The extension 13 of the shaft 6 is in engagement with the inner surface of the cap 30*, and is provided with an internally threadedpassage 32 side ted to be enga edby a stud 33, for locking t e cap 30 to t eshaft. The cap' 30 may be hexagonal or of any angular form in order that it may be gripped by'some suitable tool for turning the same, so that as the cap is moved inwardly, the shaft 6 will likewise be moved inwardly, and the roller disk .19 will be moved into closerengagement withthe opposite cam surfaces for takingiup any wear.

A spring 3 1, secured to the casing 4, is adapted to engage one of the fiat faces of the cap screw 30* to maintain it in position after an adjustment has been made. v

Fig. 6 shows another modification of which my invention is susceptible. A rotatable disk 35 is adapted to engage the cam faces 16* and 17 of the opposed cams,

but the contacting surface 36 of the disk is formed in the shape of afrust-um of a cone, so that the inclined face of said rotatable disk will have a line engagement with the surfaces 16- and '17 of the opposed cams. vided by the recess, the rotatable disk 19 is The cam tracks 16 and 17 are inclined at a different angle than the tracks of the other cams disclosed, the inclination correspondwith the inclination of the frusto-conica ortion 36 of the disk 35. A pin 38, rigi 1y mounted on the, bottom of the roller disk 35, is seated withina socket or bearing 39 formed in an enlargement of the rocker shaft 6, and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the rocker shaft. disk 35 is moved towards or away from the cam faces of the cam by means of a screw or bolt 41, engaging the threads of a pas sage which is in alinement with the longitudinal axis of the stem 38. The outer end of the screw or bolt 41 is provided with a head 42 to be gripped by some suitable tool for turning the screw 41. A lock nut 43 engages the threads of the screw 41 for locking the screw in position on the rocker shaft 6.

Fig. 7 discloses still another modification of the rotatable disk," in the form of a flat disk 44 having a stem 45, secured centrally of the disk and at right angles to the plane of said disk, and seated within a socket 46 passing entirely through the rock shaft 6. The rotatable disk in this case'has its two faces parallel. The adjustment means of Fig. 6 may be conveniently employed with the disk of Fig. 7.

Referring again to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive,

the extension 5 of the casing 4 is sectionally,

formed so that cap 48 may be removed when the bolts 49 have been. taken out, in order that the rocker shaft and some of its con-' 'nected parts may be exposed.

Longitudinally of the shaft 6, there is provided a bore or passage 50, (Fig. 4) having a port 51 at right angles to the passage 50. said port communicating with a chamber 52 in the extension 5 for permitting lubricant to pass from the bore to said chamber '52. The end of the passage 50 is internally threaded to hold a grease cup 53 closing the passage.

A plug 54, mounted in an internally threaded boss 55, is adapted to close an opening 56 (F ig. 2) which leads into the interior of the casing, and by which lubricant is forced into the same.

As shown in Fig. 4, a bracket 57 embracing the extension 5 of the casing is mounted on the automobile frame for securing thev casing in position.

In all the described embodiments of the invention, the rotatable disk, by reason of its engagement with the opposed earns 16 and 17, is oscillated through an arc of'substantially 80. so that as the shaft 6. is

rocked by the rotatable disk, the drop arm 7 of the steering gear connected to a reach rod 47 (Fig. 1) is oscillated through an arc of 80, while the cams arebeing turned through very nearly two revolutions. For practical purposes, the cam itself may be turned through at least one an'done half' revolutions.

While the invention has'been described with particular reference to steering mechanism, the invention has a. much broader The roller rectly mounted on the rocker shaft inthe aspect and ma be applied to other mechanical devices w ere it is desired to change a rotary motion to a rocking motion.

VVhatis claimed is p *1. The combination with a rotatable shaft, a pair of opposed like cams mounted thereon, a rocker shaft at one side of the cams arranged at an angle to said rotatable shaft, and a rotatable disk carried by the rocker shaft at the same side of the cams as the latter and having its face engaging both the cams'for rocking the rocker shaft.

2. The combination with a rotatable shaft, a pair of cams mounted thereon, a rocker shaft arranged at an angle to the rotatable shaft, and a rotatable disk mounted on the ,rocker shaft and havin its flat face 'engaging'both cams for roc 'ng the rocker shaft.

3. The combination with a rotatable shaft, :1 pair of opposed cams mounted thereon, a rocker shaft arran ed at an angle to the said'shaft, a rotata%le disk operatively mounted between the rocker shaft and the cams and having its face engaging both the cams, and means for adjustin the disk'toward the cams for taking up Facklash occasioned by wear of the parts.

4. The combination with a rotatable shaft, a pair of opposed cams mounted thereon, a rocker shaft mounted substantially at right angles to said shaft and'spaced therefrom, and 'a' single rotatable diskdispace between the latter and the said cams and having its substantially flat face engaged at diametrically opposite points by the cams for rocking the rocker shaft.

5.- A steering gear for motor vehicles, comprising a steering column, a pair of 0pposed cams mounted on the steering column,

a rocker shaft, andacircular disk rotatably mounted on the rocker. shaft and engaged at diametrically opposite points on the same flat face byboth cams for rocking the shaft.

6. A steering gear for motor vehicles comprising a steering column, a pair of opposed cams secured to the column, a rocker shaft a rotatable disk mounted on the shaft and having its face engaging both cams, and means for adjusting the disk toward the cams to take up wear. I

7. A steering gear for motor. vehicles,

com risin a steerin column a air of ,0

posed volute cam tracks .mounted on the steering'column. a rocker shaft, rotatable means on the rocker shaft engaged atdiametrically op osite points by the cam tracks for'roc'king the shaft when the steering column is turned, and an adjustable means for maintaining the cam tracks and the rotate able means in engagement.

8. A steering posed cams mounted on the steering column, '5

ar for .motor vehicles, v comprismg a'steermg column, a pan ofoptill) .a rocker shaft mounted at an angle to the disk toward the cams to take up wear.

9. A steering gear comprising a steering column, a cam mounted thereon havingtwo opposed cam tracks each comprising a cam surface greater than 360- but less than 720, a fiat circular disk rotatably mounted adjacent the cam and engaging both cam tracks on the same face but at diametrically oppo site points, and a shaft connected to and rocked by the disk, said shaft being operatively connected to the steering wheels to move the latter when the steering column is rotated. s

10. A steering gear comprising a steering column, a cam mounted thereon having two opposed cam tracks each comprising a cam surface greater than 360, a flat circular disk rotatably mounted adjacent the cam and engaging both cam tracks on the same face but at diametrically opposite points, a shaft connected to and rocked by the disk, saidshaft being operatively connected to the steering wheels to move the latter when the steering column is rotated, andmeans for moving the rotatable disk bodily toward both cam surfaces and for maintaining engagement therewith, whereby backlash is taken up.

11. A steering gear comprising a steering column, a cam mounted thereon having two opposed cam tracks, a rocker shaft supported to turn. on an axis at right angles to the axis of the steering column; a disk mounted on the rocker shaft to rotate on an axis at right angles to the axis of the rocker shaft and held in engagement with both cam tracks, and means for moving the disk bodily into closer contact with said cam tracks, whereby backlash in the gear may be taken up.

12. A steering gear comprising a steering column, a cam mounted thereon, a rocker shaft supported near the cam, a disk rotatably carried by the, rocker shaft and engaging the cam whereby turning of the steering column rocks the rocker shaft, said disk being supported by anti friction means, and means for moving the anti-friction support for the disk, and with it the disk itself in a direction such that the disk is forced into closer contact with the cam.

13. A steering gear comprising a steering column, a cam mounted thereon. a rocker shaft supported near the cam, a disk rotatably carried by the rocker shaft and engaging the cam whereby turning of the steering column rocks the rocker shaft, said disk being supported by anti-friction means, and means for moving the anti-friction support for the disk, and with it the disk itself in a direction such that the disk is forced m laise into closer contact with the cam, said means comprising a screw which bears against the anti-friction means, the rocker shaft having a recess with an inclined wall seating the anti-friction means, and the anti-friction means having an inclined base to lit the recess and slide therein when the adjustment screw is turned.

14:. lln steering mechanism of the class described, a rotatable steering shaft; two oppositely arranged cam memberscarried by said shaft and located adjacent the lower .end thereof; an oscillating shaft located adjacent said cams and extending transverse to said steering shaft; a bearing member carriedbysaid oscillating shaft and with which both the cam members aforesaid engage, and which bearing member is located between the axes of said steering shaft and said oscillating shaft; and means for moving said bearing member transverse to said oscillating shaft and toward and from said cam members.

15. In steering mechanism of the class desc-ribed, a rotatable steering shaft; two oppositely arranged cam memberes carried by said shaft and located adjacent the lower end thereof; an oscillating shaft adjacent said cams and extending transverse to said steering shaft and which shaft is provided with a recess adjacent said cam members; a bearing member located within said recess and with which both the cam members aforesaid engage; and means for adjusting said bearing member toward and from said cam members.

16. In steering mechanism of the class described, a rotatable steering shaft; two oppositely arranged cam members carried by said shaft and located adjacent the lower end thereof; an oscillating shaft located adjacent said cams and extending transverse to said steering shaft and which shaft is enlarged and provided with a cylindrical recess adjacent said cam members; a. cylindrical bearing member located within said recess and with which the cam members aforesaid engage; and a'set screw carried by said oscillating shaft and inoperative engagement with said bearing member.

17. In steering mechanism of the class described, a rotatable steering shaft; two oppositely arranged cam members carried by said shaft and located adjacent thelower end thereof; an oscillating shaft located adjacent said cams and extending transverse to said steering shaft, and which.- shaft is provided with a bearing surface which is inclined relative to the axis thereof and against which surface both the cams aforesaid bear; and means for moving said 0scillating shaft along its axis tothereby ad- ,just sa1d bearing surface relative to said till described, a rotatable steering shaft; two

oppositely arranged cam members carried by said shaft and located adjacent the lower end thereof; an oscillating shaft located adjacent said cams 'and extending transverse to said steering shaft; a rotatable disc carried by said oscillating shaft and against which both the cams aforesaid bear, and the surface of which disc is inclined relative to the axis of said oscillating shaft; and means for moving said oscillating shaft along its axis to thereby adjust said bearing disc relative to said cam.

v 19. In a steering mechanism of the class described, a rotatable steering shaft; two

oppositely arranged cam members carried by said shaft and located adjacent the lower end thereof; an oscillating shaft located adjacent said cams and extending transverse to said steering shaft; a bearing plate carried by said oscillating shaft and the under surface of which is arranged at an angle relative to the axis of said shaft, and against which bearing plate both the cams aforesaid bear; and means for moving said 25 oscillating shaft along its axis to thereby adjust the bearing surface thereof relative to said cams. e

20. In steering mechanism of the class described, a rotatable steering shaft; two oppositely varranged cam members carried by said shaft and located adjacent the lower end thereof; an oscillating shaft located adjacent said cams and extending trans verse to said steering shaft; means carried by said oscillating shaft and inclined relative to the axis thereof and engaged by both the cams aforesaid, and through which motion is communicated to said oscillating shaft as said steering wheel is rotated; and means for moving said oscillatin shaft along its axis to thereby adjust the surface thereof relative to said cams.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

HENRY MARLES,

arifig 

